Ylmer rushes through the woods at lightning speed. His long braided ashy hair was like a whip behind him as he jumped from tree to tree. A dozen more people accompanied him on the chase as well as they were trying to track down those cloaked figures that they had just fought a while ago. After all, his master had given him a task beforehand. But luck is not on their side today because they lost them along the way. Disappearing as if they weren't there in the first place.

If it's not for the ringing in their ears from the explosion earlier, they would think that the fight didn't happen.

Ylmer gritted his teeth in annoyance, standing on a wide branch where the leader of those cloaked individuals stood before vanishing. If only he could have subdued at least one of them but alas. He can't win against someone who wields magic, much less succeeding in taking down their very leader himself.

'This task is not easy at all. How could the master ask me to take their leader back? Compared to those magicians, I'm only an ordinary human. How do I even fight them?' He sighed in his heart.

Looking back, it was truly an unreasonable order. Why didn't he think of that when Lukas first gave him the task? It completely slipped off his mind.

He stopped chasing and the others immediately followed suit. He then mentally prepared an excuse for Lukas later. Anyhow, he still got one important detail he could give to Lukas. Like the fact that the man he fought on the night of the founding ball was there and was clearly leading those people.

Thinking about it, Ylmer paused for a second. When they arrived at the scene at the perfect time, Ylmer was already sweating cold bullets. He thought that they were already too late and that the lady had suffered from those assailants' hands.

Ylmer had gone back as fast as he could to gather more people when he saw them attacking. He had been accustomed to uneventful days and was caught off guard when things started escalating. It's a great thing that the Shadows, Lukas' personal army, are always on stand-by waiting for summons or else, Ylmer would surely be in deep **. He can already imagine the worst of the worst if the lady had been taken away under his watch.

At the palace

The knights stood firmly on their posts but couldn't help their eyes following the tall figure of a man walking through the outside corridor with an aura of a tyrant. His slightly long hair as dark as coals curled under the collar of his black silk shirt. His royal blue coat hung on his wide shoulders, so long it almost touched the floor.

The hearts of the knights who saw him trembled as his suffocating aura almost overwhelmed them. This, of course, is innate. Due to his natural disposition as a leader, he would intimidate those people around him. And who doesn't know about him?

Lukas was just about to ask the emperor for an audience but before he could enter the palace hall, he felt Ylmer's presence. His face frowned for a second and stopped walking, anticipating his subordinate's arrival. Ylmer then appeared on his side, sweat covering his forehead as a sign that he rushed to here.

"What is it?

" His purple eyes at the moment were light, like sparkling amethysts, and they were now narrowed as he stared at Ylmer.

There would be no other reason for him to come except if it is related to the task he gave him.

He was right.

Ylmer put on a solemn expression and relayed the news without beating around the bush.

"Master, those people ambushed the lady today and tried to take her. We chased them but they all got away in the end so I couldn't do what you ordered me. The lady is now being escorted to the Ethalion's.

"

"Ambushed? Heh. So they finally made a move.

"

Lukas was not surprised because it was inevitable. He knew that they were observing her but the reasons are still unclear to him. Still, it made him realize that they must be keen on taking Nadia in one piece. After all, they didn't kill her.

Ylmer was relieved that he didn't admonish him and continued.

"One more thing, master. Their leader was the person you fought before.

"

This made Lukas raise his left brow but didn't say anything. After a while, he dismissed Ylmer.

"Go back and continue observing.

"

"Yes.

"

Ylmer then left as he was told.

Meanwhile, Lukas who had a prior motive changed his course and went to the direction of the training grounds instead.

At the training ground

Sounds of metal clashing pierced the surroundings, accompanied by grunts and groans of men. Three pairs were at the center, sparring and trying to outdo each other under the eyes of those at the sides. Their zealousness was being watched by Nathan and the other knights presiding over their training and this only motivated them more to show off.

Both the captain and the vice-captain are watching, they should show them that they are good enough to join their ranks!

Amidst the hot-blooded enthusiasm of these men, Evelyn was the one who's enjoying her time the most. She has always been the happiest when she's holding a sword. So even her motivation slightly deviates from the others.

Right now, she's one of those three pairs that are being observed for their skills. Her current opponent was one of her groupmates under the care of Eon, William Merimi. Out of all the new aspiring knights from her batch, he was one of those who accepts her and treats her like equals.

But at this moment, both of them aren't friends. They are competing to see who is more skilled between them and for the recognition of the seniors.

"That woman is really agile,

" Eon muttered through his observation.

"Mmm. She's even using her body constitution as an advantage,

" Luther seconded.

"At this level, she even outshines the others, which is truly surprising.

"

They are not blind and prejudiced. They could see that Evelyn is an outstanding swordsman so they won't act ignorant. They would give credit where it's due. And that's why most of these young men are mad because they are being outperformed by a lady.

"Heh. With my guidance, she would surely pass the test and be a knight.

" Eon proudly raised his chin, gloating at his friend.

"Maybe she could even beat you.

"

Luther snorted. This guy....